Hotel Pamphylia

They Aren’t Even Trying

Basically...you can do much better in this same part of Istanbul for the same price. Look elsewhere. The service was non-existent. Our room safe didn’t work...we told the staff...they said they’d look at it the next day. They never did. The television didn’t work. We heard another customer have a 45 minute argument with the desk staff over both his television and the WiFi not working. Staff doesn’t greet you or seem to care that you’re there. Most of the time they were sitting on the step of the entryway and barely made room for you to enter. They driver they sent to pick us up at the airport left his sign, but never returned. The location is pretty good...but loud...and the price is okay for the area. Still, there is also plenty of competition and these guys aren’t even trying.

Reasonable for the Money, Good Location

I stayed in this hotel for two nights in April 2009. I only considered staying in Sultanahmet as I wanted to be in the main tourist area of Istanbul. I consider myself lucky to have found this hotel as I only started planning the trip a few days prior to the flight and most of the alternatives were somewhat expensive to very expensive or other hotels that I knew of were already booked up. I’d recommend this hotel for transit or if you are traveling alone; the room was a bit too cramped for two people although, in fairness, they probably have bigger rooms. Furniture was old but that didn’t bother me. On international standards, this hotel I would rate two star B. (Hotels in Istanbul I have observed to have star inflation of one star.) Ignore any negative reviews of this hotel but be modest in your expectations. Staff was friendly and accomodating.

Traveler's tip on dining

I recommend restaurant Doy Doy off Kuchuk Aya Sofia jaddesi (avenue) just past the Turkmenistan restaurant after exiting the Blue Mosque grounds from the back. Try the etli patlijan kabob or the etsiz patlijan kebab if vegetarian. Very reasonably priced and tasty. Also on Kuchuk Aya Sofiya is a supermarket Indivum worth visiting to stock up on drinks. No need to resort to overpriced minibars.

great location, good breakfast, not greatest cleaning

The hotel is in a perfect location for seeing the main sites in Istanbul, and is about an hour from the airport by metro. The lobby is well-kept and spotless, as was the room when we first arrived. However, they didn’t bother cleaning the bathroom while we were there, and did not fix a stopped shower drain even after we had complained. Although they advertise satellite TV in the rooms, they apparently only subscribe to the most basic service, which does not include any English (or any non-Turkish) programming.

Traveler's tip on recreational activities

Do the Bosphorus tour when it’s sunny--if you wait until the last day it might be raining.